The MEROLA Act explained
This page provides information about the Mineral and Energy Resources and Other Legislation Amendment (MEROLA) Act 2024. It outlines the changes and when they will begin.
Changes to expand the role of the former Gasfields Commission Queensland, now Coexistence Queensland, and the Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment commenced in 2024.
The changes that expand the role of the Land Access Ombudsman (LAO) have been postponed for 1 year, providing more time to effectively implement its new role.
We are now proposing the LAO will:
- operate alongside Coexistence Queensland under a shared CEO and Advisory Council
- be government-funded instead of industry-funded
- take on an expanded role, including investigating alleged breaches of access agreements and offering voluntary dispute resolution for negotiations of Make Good Agreements (MGAs), Conduct and Compensation Agreements (CCAs), and mining access agreements.
If passed by Parliament, all changes will begin on 1 July 2026.
Coexistence institutional changes
Coexistence Queensland (formerly Gasfields Commission Queensland)
The Gasfields Commission Queensland has been renamed Coexistence Queensland, and its role has been expanded. It now:
- addresses a broader range of coexistence issues beyond the onshore gas industry
- provides advice to government
- supports engagement between landholders, industry and the community.
This broader role aims to foster better relationships between agriculture, renewable energy and resources sector, including the critical minerals industry.
The Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment (OGIA)
OGIA’s functions have expanded to provide independent scientific advice on subsurface impacts from petroleum and gas activities, where requested by relevant government entities. This expansion will help us stay informed about subsurface impact issues from authorised petroleum and gas activities, and support coexistence between landholders and the resources sector.
The Land Access Ombudsman (LAO)
The Land Access Ombudsman (LAO) was established to provide independent oversight and dispute resolution for land access agreements, supporting landholders, industry, and communities.
The Queensland Government is proposing reforms through the Resource Safety and Health Queensland and Other Legislation Amendment Tenure Reform Bill 2026 (RSHQOLA Bill 2026) to strengthen the LAO’s role, improve efficiency, and reduce duplication with coexistence institutions. Under this proposal:
- The LAO would operate alongside Coexistence Queensland (CQ) under the same Chief Executive Officer and Advisory Council, while continuing as a separate statutory body.
- Industry funding model would be removed, and the LAO would instead continue to be funded by the Queensland Government, ensuring services remain independent, accessible and free for landholders.
- Members of Coexistence Queensland would form the LAO Advisory Council, and the Chief Executive Officer of Coexistence Queensland would be appointed as the Land Access Ombudsman.
These changes are subject to passage of the RSHQOLA Bill 2026.
The LAO currently provides independent support by investigating alleged breaches of land access agreements, offering voluntary dispute resolution, and providing guidance on land access and compensation matters. The proposed expanded role would allow the LAO to also assist parties who are negotiating or re-negotiating:
- Make Good Agreements (MGAs)
- Conduct and Compensation Agreements (CCAs)
- access agreements
- compensation agreements relating to mining claims and mining leases.
This expanded role enables the LAO to provide support earlier in the agreement process, helping resolve issues before they escalate into disputes.
The proposed reforms are intended to begin on 1 July 2026, subject to passage of the Bill, ensuring landholders continue to have access to independent investigation and dispute resolution services, while benefiting from a more coordinated approach across agriculture, renewable energy, and resources.
This approach strengthens landholders’ ability to resolve issues fairly and maintain productive relationships with industry, while retaining the LAO as a fully independent statutory body.
Improved regulatory efficiency
Amendments to the land release process
To improve critical mineral exploration, the Minister has discretion over how and when relinquished land is re-released for application. This may be used instead of the 2-month re-release requirement and allows for more strategic land allocation based on state priorities. The existing over-the-counter application process following a 2-month moratorium remains in place.
Threshold for aerial surveying
Aerial surveys conducted at 1,000ft or above no longer require entry notices or periodic reports. This change reduces the administrative burden for both resource companies and landholders.
Fossicking in a mining lease application area
Fossickers must seek written approval from a mining lease holder or mining claim holder before fossicking on a mining lease or mining claim. As well as this, they now need to obtain written permission from a mining lease applicant if fossicking in a mining lease application area. This ensures exploratory activities by resource companies are protected. Outside of these mining areas, fossicking is still allowed on designated fossicking land or where permission is granted by landholders or reserve owners.
Rent deferral framework
To support industry at times when they are impacted by circumstances outside of their control, the Minister, may declare a hardship area to defer the rent payable for a resource authority. The intention is to include events that cause a serious disruption to operations carried out on the authority, such as natural disasters or pandemics. The Minister's deferral declaration can be for a period of up to 12 months and may be extended if the hardship continues.